The Hegebe Cultural Development Trust was formed in 1999 by Nkosi of the Hegebe tribe at the instance of Nkosi S P Holomisa. The Board, which was established to facilitate the smooth running of the affairs of the Trust, was initially made up of the traditional leaders of the various Administrative Areas which constitute the area of jurisdiction of the Hegebe Traditional Council. The Board was later increased to ensure the representation of Nkosi, women, the aged, people with disabilities and the youth from all six administrative areas.

The Land Relating To The Hegebe Trust

The land of the Hegebe currently comprises the six administrative areas of Ngqungqu, Thungwana, Mahlamvu, Zanci, Mahlungulu and Nganaseni, including Mgomanzi which forms part of Ngcanaseni, in the magisterial district of Mqanduli, within the King Sabatha Dalidyebo Local Municipality and Oliver Reginald Thambo District Municipality of the Eastern Cape. A great portion of the town of Mqanduli is itself on land that historically belongs to the Hegebe.

Land Conversion And Degradation

It is common cause that with industrialization and the failure to manage rural areas, there is a loss of natural landscapes, forests, wetlands and soils. Should these trends continue, the following will result:

Loss of wildlife habitat and land degradation

Decrease in soil quality due to poor management

Deforestation on a large scale

Many local eco systems, such as the Hegebe land, are regressing and the local communities don't know how to retard this process.

During our various meetings with the Hegebe Trust, and in particular Nkosi Phathekile Holomisa, it was clear that the thinking of the Trust led by Nkosi Holomisa was extremely progressive and he is quoted in his book entitled According To Tradition as saying: "Environmental degradation can be halted if traditional leaders are empowered to enforce the tried and tested ways of environmental protection."

Based on the above, and our various meetings and consultations with the various chiefs and tribal leaders, CarbonWorx agreed to establish a long-term relationship with the Hegebe tribe in the Eastern Cape with the following objectives:

Retard the negative impact on climate change on a micro level.

Restore the local "biosphere" by restoring trees that were indigenous to the area.

Restore birdlife, insects, bees etc.

Enhance water management.

Educate the local population starting with schools.

Based on the above and the agreement reached with the Hegebe Trust, CarbonWorx is establishing a local nursery to grow indigenous trees which will be populated in various pilot sites which have been identified within the Trust land.

As phase 1 of the initial project, 11 pilot sites have been identified in terms of which a variety of indigenous trees will be planted subsequent to a baseline study being undertaken in the area to ascertain the soil content and CO2 content of the soil within the pilot sites and adjacent sites.

Thereafter each of the pilot sites will be populated with a variety of indigenous trees and over a period of seven years further baseline studies will be undertaken and the information verified by independent third parties to ascertain the carbon structures at each point of analysis. However, the overall objective of engagement with the Hegebe Trust is the restoration of the local eco system as part of the mitigation and adaptation solution to overall climate change. It is the objectives of CarbonWorx, in association with the local community, to provide education and the ability to re-establish the local and micro biosphere back to its original form based on various research that has been undertaken in the area as far back as 1850 where pictures of Thomas Baines and writings contained in his book have been evaluated. The engagement with the Trust will be over an extended period and the case study relating to the CarbonWorx engagement will be updated on the site from time to time.